AFTER a hugely successfulstint playing in New Zealand's powerful
Canterbury Metropolitan Competition, the Mansfield hard-man was
immediately snapped up by Nottingham on his return to English
shores.
Having topped Linwood's try scoring chart with seven tries
during his three months in the Land of the Long White Cloud, bosses
at the Green and Whites were proven right in their decision to send
the back rower on his international adventure.
Calladine and Nottingham teammate Ollie Taylor were given the
chance to develop their game on the other side of the globe after
impressing in the club's run to the British and Irish Cup
quarter-finals last season. And while Calladine's
Championship
opportunities were limited, his form for Mansfield in National
Division 3 made him impossible to ignore.
Within a week of touching down in New Zealand, Calladine had
forced his way into Linwood's starting XV
and seamlessly adapted to the Kiwi's expansive style of play.
Calladine re-joined Nottingham in late July, having penned a one
year deal with the club after his exotic summer exploits.
Training one-on-one with 2011 Rugby World Cup winning All Black,
Owen Franks, was all part of an experience that the former young
England international says has transformed him as an athlete.